Validation of numerical models using satellite data

Data from Clouds and Radiative Swath (CRS) products of Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Terra satellite have been used to validate the Single Column Model (SCM) at Southern Great Plains site of Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) in Oklahoma during March 2000. To compare satellite data, ARM Intensive Observation Period (IOP) data have been used. Longwave radiative fluxes agrees reasonably well with each other, but shortwave fluxes show large differences. The Regional Spectral Model (RSM) also has been used to compare with satellite data. RSM results show better agreement with satellite data than SCM results. The problem is because the large-scale circulation or convective forcing cannot be included accurately, although feedbacks that work inside a single column are active in the SCM. To simulate more accurate radiative fluxes, the effect of ozone and aerosol is analyzed. The discrepancy between model calculations and satellite data can be reduced through the proper choice of ozone and aerosol.